[Greens-Media] NSW Labor amends polling day laws to suit itself

[Alison Orme]

MEDIA RELEASE
26 September 2006


NSW Labor amends polling day laws to suit itself  

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says the government’s proposed changes to NSW election laws are designed to increase Labor’s dominance at polling booths and make life difficult for smaller parties and independents.

“Labor’s amendments, which allow unlimited sized posters at polling booths and prohibit handing out ‘how to votes’ within 6 metres of a polling booth entrance, will advantage larger parties which are flush with corporate donations,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“The government’s self-serving reforms will make it more difficult for voters to inform themselves about how to vote and ultimately undermine democracy in NSW.

“Removing the size limit on posters at polling booths will enable big parties to wrap the fences of polling booths with banners and smother them with expensive placards. 

“During the federal elections, where no placard or banner size limit exists, the major parties are able to monopolise booths with super-size election material. 
 
“The Greens will propose amendments to retain the current 1 x 0.8 metre restriction for posters at polling booths to prevent the big parties dominating space. 

“The government is also trying to bolster their own electoral changes by introducing a new rule prohibiting postering and voters being approached within 6 metres of a polling booth.

“This 6 metre rule will make it hard for smaller parties and independents to adequately staff polling booths and approach voters approaching a booth from different directions.

“This will mean more voters voting without the benefit of how to vote cards, impacting on the choice of primary vote and preference flows. 

“The Greens will move to amend the bill to require that posters cannot be put up at polling booths on or before 6am on election day.

“This is designed to avoid a repeat of the last federal election when under shadow of darkness booths were decorated the evening before and security guards hired to protect posters. 

“A robust democracy needs an informed electorate where all parties and candidate can communicate with voters on polling day. 

“The government is cynically using its power to give it the upper hand, a mandate not provided by voters at the last state election,” Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information:  Lee Rhiannon - 0427 861 568 or 9230 3551


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Tues, Wed and alternate Mons)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au